Case's Pork Roll and the Trenton Thunder team up for a big night

TRENTON--While the Thunder have been such a success story over the past 24-plus years, there is another Trenton business that has prospered in the capital city for dacades.

Case's Pork Roll products can be found all throughout the country, in some of the largest supermarkets such as Costco, Sam's Club, ShopRite, and Walmart. CAse's President, Tom Dolan, was on hand Friday night at ARM & HAMMER Park to celebrate Pork Roll Night, and announce the River Fest. The annual event, which will be held on September 30 from 12-5 p.m., will feature the Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship, won by Joey Chestnut the last two years.

The Thunder and Case's Pork Roll have seen their partnership grow stronger each year. The 2018 season, which will see the Thunder host the Eastern League All-Star Game and Case's sponsor the Home Run Derby, will be a time for both businesses (and the city of Trenton) to shine.

"It means the world to us to partner up with such a great organization," Dolan said. "They have been a mainstay here for 24 years. Mayor (Eric) Jackson has just been tremendous with us. Anything we need, he has always been there to help us.

"We love Trenton, and we want to stay in Trenton."

Mayor Jackson was on hand as well Friday night, and he spoke glowingly about two jewels of the capital city.

"Certainly, Case's Pork Roll is critically important to Trenton," Jackson said. "Just today, I had a few young entrepreneurs in the city. I was telling them about the great history of Trenton, how long they have been here, and what they mean to the economic engine of our city.

"How they are now continuing to grow and expand, and the work that they do to support the children of our city, similar to the Trenton Thunder. This partnership that they have here continues to do the same.

"What Tom is doing, not only to help the city of Trenton, but he is partnering with the Thunder. He is making a difference in the community. We do a Pork Roll Festival in the city, and it is amazing for the people that have not been introduced to pork roll.

"But equal to that is the Pork Roll Eating Contest that they have here. I came out last year, and it was phenomenal to see the contestants, but also the number of people that came out to enjoy that event. It goes hand in hand.

"They are great partners together. Certainly the city of Trenton is glad to partner with Case's Pork Roll, not only to have that outstanding business in our city, but they help generate additional economic activity in our city, and development as well."

Dolan has been involved on the local baseball scene for more than two decades. He was an assistant coach for Nottingham High School, and also with the Bordentown Post 26 American Legion team that broke the stranglehold of Hamilton Post 31 in the Mercer County American Legion League. So becoming so involved with the Thunder was optimal.

"It is definitely top of the list," Dolan said. "We have been growing with them, with our sponsorship. It has been a good fit for both Case's Pork Roll and the Trenton Thunder.

"The 2018 All-Star game is going to be a showcase event, for Trenton and for Case's Pork Roll too. It is going to be huge to be a part of that, and we are really excited to partner up with the Trenton Thunder. It is going to be great."

Ronald Herrera did not have his best stuff of the season Thursday night, but it was enough to power the Thunder (24-14) to a three-game road sweep of New Hampshire.

Herrera (4-0 with a 1.14 ERA on the season in four starts) worked through the 90-plus degree temperatures to go 5.1 innings, before he left the game in the 9-2 Thunder victory. Trenton manager Bobby Mitchell spoke about his fight to get as far into the contest as he could without his best stuff.

"He wasn't as sharp as he normally is," Mitchell said. "His breaking ball wasn't as sharp, but he gets by because he is able to command the ball and not walk anybody. So he gave up a two-run homer.

"I think he got tired, too, because it was 94. He started to feel the heat a little bit, not pitching as much as the other guys have. Then he just let a curveball get away from him and gave up a two-run homer.

"He was a little up in the zone. But he makes adjustments well, and throws strikes. He lets his defense work, and we did. He only gave up the two runs, which is good."

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Friday night, Domingo Acevedo made his Double A debut, as the Thunder hosted Portland in the first of a three-game set. The number 12 prospect in the New York Yankees system has a devastating fastball, which sits anywhere from the upper-90's to 100 miles per hour.